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IFB announces SWAT teams for 2013

     Farm Bureau members recently were named to the first Strength With Advisory Teams (SWAT) for 2013. Other members were selected for ad hoc advisory groups.

     Each of the three teams will identify issues and provide input to the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Directors on issues relating to farmers, production practices, rural life, and other agriculture-related issues.

     Team members and the county Farm Bureaus they represent are as follows:

     Conservation and natural resources: Doug Scheider, Stephenson; Lon Lovellette, Grundy; Randy Poskin, Ford-Iroquois, IFB District 6 director; Dennis Haab, Livingston; Jim Williams, McLean; Dean Doughty, Peoria; Sam Zumwalt, Hancock; David Wessel, Cass-Morgan; Darrel Parish, Macon; Kara Kinney, Douglas County Farm Bureau manager; Barb Gard, Clark; Brad Hester, Marion; Randy Darr, Macoupin; and Tom Fox, Jackson.

     Farming production and marketing: Harry Alten, McHenry; Dale Jackson, Stark; Brad Temple, LaSalle, IFB District 4 director; Randy Faber, Lee; Glenn Ginder, Will; Krista Swanson, Knox; Bianca Miller, Schuyler; Sara Brockman, Hancock County Farm Bureau manager; Andy Bolsen, Moultrie; Pat Titus, Douglas; Karl Spencer, Jasper; Edward Marburger, Macoupin; Dean Campbell, Randolph; and Don Ahrens, Gallatin.

     Local and state government: Mark Tuttle, DeKalb; Merri Berlage, Jo Daviess; Mike Zecher, Mercer; Ken Beck, LaSalle; Jim Frueh, Bureau County Farm Bureau manager; Keith Mussman, Kankakee; Fred Meyer, Tazewell; David Serven, Knox, IFB District 8 director; Andy Sellars, Scott; Mary Liz Wright, Edgar; Norbert Soltwedel, Effingham; Mike Painter, Greene; George Obernagel, Monroe; and David White, Wayne.

     The teams will meet for times each year with the first meeting set for Jan. 31.  

     In addition to the enhanced team structure, a new component this year are the ad hoc advisory groups. The following members were selected to serve in an advisory capacity on specific issues of interest and will provide input as requested by the teams and the organization throughout the year.

     Ad hoc members and the counties they represent are:

     Northern Illinois: John Bartman, Gene Boppart, and Chris Dahm, all of McHenry; Berk Boehne, DeKalb; and Mike Kenyon, Kane.

     Also: Bruce Johnson, Stephenson County Farm Bureau manager; and Larry Larson and Gary Shedd, both of Winnebago-Boone.

     Also: Dwayne Anderson, Deve Detloff, and Steve Weber, all of Henry.

     Also:  Danelle Burrs, Lee County Farm Bureau manager; Melvin Matter and Monty Whipple, both of LaSalle; Charles Meisenheimer, Bureau; and Eleanor Zimmerlein, Lee.

     Also: Edie Raices, Cook, and Anu Verma, DuPage.

     Central Illinois: Jason Bunting, Ray Dieter, Jerry Quick, all of Livingston; and David Haase, Ford-Iroquois.

     Also: Matt Hughes and Darrel Miller, McLean; John Knight, Tazewell; and D.J. Wyss, Woodford.

     Also: Richard Carroll, Peoria; Curt Eisenmayer, Warren-Henderson; David Headley, Fulton; and Mike Hennenfent, Rob Link, and Linda Wikoff, all of Knox.

     Also: Mary Barnes and Brenda Middendorf, both Pike; Kent Prather, Schuyler; and Blake Roderick, Pike County Farm Bureau manager.

     Also: Luellen Betzelberger, Mason; Allen Entwistle and Andy Goleman, both Sangamon; and Len Krusemark, Logan.

     Also: Terry Ferguson, DeWitt; Jonathon Manuel, Fred Perry, and Stan Sipp, all of Piatt; and Emmett Sefton and Greg Webb, both Macon.

     Also: Joanie Burke, Emily Morehouse, and J.C. Reitmeier, all of Champaign; and Steve Fourez and Kevin Green, both Vermilion.

     Southern Illinois: Michael Evans and Rich Ochs, both Jasper; and Tony Trimble, Jasper County Farm Bureau manager.

     Also: Jarod Hitchings and Earl Sorrells, both Montgomery; and Kevin Miller, Effingham.

     Also: Steve Koeller, Madison; and Hugh Moore, Jersey.

     Also: Larry Johnson, Clinton; Gale Koelling and Steve Launius, both Washington; and Steve Stallman, Randolph.

     IFB and the teams are discussing issues that are important to members. To share your thoughts and vision for the future of agriculture, go online to {ilfb.org/swat}.